The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has confirmed that heating engineers are now eligible for COVID-19 testing.

The government recently confirmed that "workers delivering essential services in the utilities sector, which encompasses heat, are now eligible for testing" and the HHIC has confirmed that this does indeed extend to those working in the domestic and commercial sectors.

Stewart Clements, Director at the HHIC, said: “The HHIC is pleased that government have recognised that the heating and plumbing industry carry out essential frontline work to maintain the supply of heating and hot water to UK homes, schools, hospitals and businesses. Its operation is essential to ensure people are kept safe in their homes and businesses.”

“The HHIC has an open line of communication with government, in particular the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The current COVID-19 crisis is an ever changing, and ever moving situation which requires daily review and communication, so that we are in the best position to be able to keep our members informed.”

“Following announcements that COVID-19 testing capacity in England has been extended to all key workers and their households with symptoms, BEIS has confirmed that workers delivering essential services in the utilities sector, which encompasses heat, are now eligible for testing.

"The government’s guidance remains that tradespeople entering homes should only be undertaking essential repairs and maintenance. No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild. Those with symptoms that need to return to work to undertake essential activity in the heat sector must get tested before doing so. More information, and the option to self-refer for a test, is available online at www.gov.uk/coronavirus."

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